Star Trek is a huge exception, but It’s strange how absent the concept of gender normally is from scifi. Things that are perfectly normal in scifi include cybernetic enhancements, genetic engineering, etc., but god forbid anyone use technology to change their gender. And if technology really existed to instantly and effortlessly change gender, I suspect almost everyone would be doing it because that’s exactly what happens in social VR apps like VRChat.
Things that are perfectly normal in scifi include cybernetic enhancements, genetic engineering, etc., but god forbid anyone use technology to change their gender.
The average “Singularity™” prophet on /r/Futurology on wants to be an immortal swarm of nanobots that is colonizing the galaxy but is weirded out and scared of trans people.
All the worst nerds on earth terrified that my bedicked cockspider body was not amab because I forgot that was a requirement on nanotech 3d printer machine.
The Culture series is another big exception, combining both readily accessible and extremely fast transitioning tech with the understanding that people still have their own identity and preferred presentation (that can also get complicated).
There’s a documentary on DS9 called What You Leave Behind that touches on some of the behind the scenes of the LGBT aspects of he show. Apparently they had a hell of a time getting some of the Dax stuff past the studio execs and show runners. The writers and actors also wanted Bashir and Garak to have an explicitly gay relationship but that was also forbidden.
Yeah, that was my reaction as well. It’s bloody strange - it isn’t lingered on, but Kovacs even mentioned a few occasions of being sleeved in other genders as positive (though the context might have been about enjoying superior pain tolerance) and his Awesome and Cool Envoy conditioning, as-described, would definitely put work into erasing any fucks given.
The latest book Thin Air however, had nastier sexual dynamics and gave me a strong sense of actual bitterness and not just thematic cynicism. Kinda sucks.
I forget the fallout of it but in Ghost in the Shell SAC Bato confronts Kusanagi on why she doesn’t switch to a male cyborg for it’s greater physical prowess and I think he gets put in his place. Iirc I think the conversation could have been handled better but at least it exists!
There’s also the implication of her merging with the purely digital entity at the end of the original movie.
There’s also theories that the Major’s original meat space is so wrapped in mystery but some clues suggest AMAB.
All that to say, a lot, but not all, Ghost in the Shell series are worth some time!
Star Trek is a huge exception, but It’s strange how absent the concept of gender normally is from scifi. Things that are perfectly normal in scifi include cybernetic enhancements, genetic engineering, etc., but god forbid anyone use technology to change their gender. And if technology really existed to instantly and effortlessly change gender, I suspect almost everyone would be doing it because that’s exactly what happens in social VR apps like VRChat.
The average “Singularity™” prophet on /r/Futurology on
wants to be an immortal swarm of nanobots that is colonizing the galaxy but is weirded out and scared of trans people. 
All the worst nerds on earth terrified that my bedicked cockspider body was not amab because I forgot that was a requirement on nanotech 3d printer machine.
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HERETIC! It was a minivan!
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It’s okay, I still love you
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The Culture series is another big exception, combining both readily accessible and extremely fast transitioning tech with the understanding that people still have their own identity and preferred presentation (that can also get complicated).
There’s a documentary on DS9 called What You Leave Behind that touches on some of the behind the scenes of the LGBT aspects of he show. Apparently they had a hell of a time getting some of the Dax stuff past the studio execs and show runners. The writers and actors also wanted Bashir and Garak to have an explicitly gay relationship but that was also forbidden.
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God. Dammit. Day ruined. Has he not read his own books?
As a former fan of Orson Scott Card, welcome to the party pal.
Yeah, that was my reaction as well. It’s bloody strange - it isn’t lingered on, but Kovacs even mentioned a few occasions of being sleeved in other genders as positive (though the context might have been about enjoying superior pain tolerance) and his Awesome and Cool Envoy conditioning, as-described, would definitely put work into erasing any fucks given.
The latest book Thin Air however, had nastier sexual dynamics and gave me a strong sense of actual bitterness and not just thematic cynicism. Kinda sucks.
I forget the fallout of it but in Ghost in the Shell SAC Bato confronts Kusanagi on why she doesn’t switch to a male cyborg for it’s greater physical prowess and I think he gets put in his place. Iirc I think the conversation could have been handled better but at least it exists!
There’s also the implication of her merging with the purely digital entity at the end of the original movie.
There’s also theories that the Major’s original meat space is so wrapped in mystery but some clues suggest AMAB.
All that to say, a lot, but not all, Ghost in the Shell series are worth some time!
Isn’t it known from 2nd Gig episode 11 that she was born a girl?
It’s been a long time since I’ve delved in but you could be right. I still think they try to leave a lot ambiguous.
Not to mention I think most of the GitS media stands on their own with various contradictions to each other, so there may be varied origins.